Criminal Mischief
Ala. Code § 13A-7-23 — damaging property, graded by the dollar amount of the damage
Criminal mischief is damaging property on purpose, with no right to do it and no reasonable ground to believe there is one. The degree follows the amount of the damage.
Who handles this in Alabama: Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Alabama directory.
| Damage | Degree | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Damage$500 or less | DegreeThird | GradeClass B misdemeanor |
| DamageMore than $500, up to $2,500 | DegreeSecond | GradeClass A misdemeanor |
| DamageMore than $2,500, or any damage by an explosion | DegreeFirst | GradeClass C felony |
Damage to a church or other religious building at the second degree brings at least 10 days in jail on a second conviction within five years and at least 30 days on a third, and the court orders restitution first, before any fine or cost.
Sources for this section (3)
- Ala. Code § 13A-7-21 — Criminal Mischief in the First Degree
- Ala. Code § 13A-7-22 — Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree
- Ala. Code § 13A-7-23 — Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alabama attorney.